EN Website launch rocks the Cafe

22-Jan-10by Annie Byrne

Mash Media kicked off the year with a rocking party at Hyde Park’s Hard Rock Cafe last night.More than 200 people packed out the venue to test their vocal talents with Rockaoke, a band-backed karaoke act. Usual suspects like International Confex’s Duncan Reid and Ocean Event’s Lorne Cheetham took to the mic alongside Mash’s own Joe McElderry, James Barrett.Those in search of Dutch courage planted themselves at the foot of the Hard Rock vodka luge, before tightening their belts and heading for the stage to stake their claims as Rockaoke king. Crowd surfing was frowned upon but entirely ignored by the balloon creations of Andrew Smith, which were passed overhead as the partiers rocked out underneath.Also up for grabs were tickets to Hard Rock Calling, a music event in Hyde Park in June with a line-up including rock band Pearl Jam.The new Exhibition News website was on show in dedicated pods, provided by Smart AV, at the entrance to the rooms, showing the biggest stories breaking in our industry, news that started many a conversation beside the dance floor.And not forgetting how lucky we are to be able to enjoy each other’s company in one of London’s most kicking venues, a Haiti collection was set up for survivors of the January earthquake.

As the UK has voted to leave the European Union with a 52 per cent majority result, EN has spoken to members of the exhibition and events industry, to gauge their initial reactions on the future of the UK and their businesses.